I Love Your Work (2003)

Good movie but grossly overrated

A Masterpiece!

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Clocking in at just under two hours, I LOVE YOUR WORK leaves the viewer feeling as though from the opening sequence that stones have been tied to your feet and your body thrown into the very deep and dank water to slowly settle into the mud at the bottom. Sound dreary? Then avoid this little mess of a film.It is hard to believe that Adrian Butchart who is giving us the radiant GOAL! THE DREAM BEGINS trilogy could help write this script: one wonders if writer/director Adam Goldberg didn't just bring him in for help. The story is tired (small time guy gives up love for a career as a movie star with all the accessories of money, fame, celeb status, gorgeous wife, etc. only to find life in its simpler fashion was preferable) and the choices of casting this very dark and dreary tale are inappropriate. Giovanni Ribisi, superb an actor though he most assuredly is, simply is not credible as a movie star sex symbol whose stardom is accompanied by alcoholism, self hate, paranoia, fragmented thinking, and bad decisions. The only time we see anything vaguely suggestive of his ability to create a role is in the many flashback scenes (with girlfriend Christina Ricci): his on screen chemistry with his famous wife Mia (the enormously talented Franka Potenta who here is wasted in a mannequin's role) is nil, and his interplay with such actors as Vince Vaughn, Marisa Coughlan, Judy Greer, Shalom Harlow, Joshua Jackson, Jason Lee, and Elvis Costello is unilateral.Goldberg films this boring redundant tale using all manner of artsy camera tricks that only serve to make the tedium increase. With a cast like this the product had promise. Goldberg needs some time to think about this phase of his career. Grady Harp

The life of the so-called celebrities is at the center of this film. Adam Goldberg, an actor himself, directed and contributed to the screen play. It's a good thing he decided to stay behind the camera this time, something other novel directors don't seem to understand in their attempt of making their own statement in the movies.Gray Evans, appears to be a paranoid actor. On the one hand, he welcomes his status as a leading man in the business. On the other, he sees stalkers with most of the people he comes in contact. Gray, who is married to his idol, Mia, an actress, who he has greatly admired before their marriage. Mia is the source of what appears to be his own self-destruction. After all, how many premieres and red carpets can one take and still stay sane? Gray, who can't walk the Los Angeles streets without being recognized, suspects one of his fans for stalking him. The casual visit to a book store puts him in contact with a man who he also suspects is the source of all the bad publicity about him that starts appearing in the tabloids. The gossip is that his marriage is about to end. Gray also starts reflecting on his past relationship with the mysterious Shana, as he mixes reality and illusion. He has to rely on an Israeli security man named Yahud to protect him from the danger lurking outside.Giovanni Ribisi, who plays Gray, is a young actor who has proved he has what it takes to do good work. His work suffers because of the demands on his playing his obsession. Franka Potente, a good German actress is seen as Mia, the object of Gray's affections. Jared Harris has some good moments, ditto Joshua Jackson, and the rest of the cast. Vince Vaughan and Elvis Costello appear as themselves.Perhaps Mr. Goldberg will find the right material on his next time directing.

It seems people either love or hate this movie.I think novels, movies, and art do not have to follow an "essay" format. There's no requirement that a hypothesis must be proffered and clearly and logically proved within the movie/book. The goal may be to make people think, to raise questions without giving easy answers, and to do so in a framework that incites both feeling and thought simultaneously.Hrm, I don't think I'm writing this in a way that really gets my thoughts across, but there you have it.I enjoyed the movie. It was thought provoking without being highbrow. There was no "moral story" laid out or beaten into you.I'd recommend this movie for people who like mystery, thought, and don't necessarily require a definite answer/conclusion to enjoy a film. The acting was super, and the movie flowed well.:) Alma

I wouldn't call "I Love Your Work" terrible, but I would agree that it doesn't really go anywhere. Portraying director Gray Evans (Giovanni Ribisi) descending into madness and desperation, I guess that the movie is supposed to be a look at the unpleasant situations inherent in the Hollywood lifestyle, but the whole thing is too confusing to logically make that point. Ribisi, plus Christina Ricci, Jason Lee, Franka Potente and Vince Vaughn (and even Elvis Costello as himself) do the best that they can, but there's not really enough to work with. For a better look at the vicissitudes of the celebrity life, check out Carl Reiner's "The Comic", starring Dick Van Dyke.